Climate Control panel removal

Have you removed the ashtray or at least opened it when trying to get the Climate Control Unit out?
 
I removed the ashtray, however I discovered that this didn’t give me any access at all to the underside of the climate control, which is what I’d been hoping for so I could access the clips; without that there was no way I’d be able to get the unit out. There’s a tray which appears to be part of the dashboard moulding between the top of the ashtray and the bottom of the climate control. Maybe it’s different on the single din dash? Anyway, one good thing came of this, yesterday I’d managed to detach the spring in the ashtray, however after a lot of fiddling I managed to fish it out and reattach it.

So that’s it I’m afraid. Thanks for all the suggestions guys but this one has defeated me. A very nice climate control unit will be coming soon to the marketplace.
 
Hopefully someone can swing in by & give you a hand (2m apart that is) & work their magic sorry im in scotland!
Put a request out? With first part of your postcode to see if anyone is near by you in Dorking? Worth a try....
 
Hopefully someone can swing in by & give you a hand (2m apart that is) & work their magic sorry im in scotland!
Put a request out? With first part of your postcode to see if anyone is near by you in Dorking? Worth a try....

OK, I’ll give this a try.... is there anyone out there that can help? Or is there somewhere else on the forum to post these requests? I’m in Dorking, RH4, but don’t mind an hour or so’s drive if there’s any kind volunteer. I’m not in a massive hurry.
 
  • Like
Reactions: N8P
I know you say you have given up. Here is one last suggestion to try on your own. Completely remove the ashtray, then using a hair dryer warm up that shelf area you saw to make the plastic more pliable but not too hot. Now with the plastics warmed use the string method and use the radio tools to release the upper spring clips. You may even be able to pull the strings with one hand why pulling and wiggling the rear of the unit with your other hand.
 
I know you say you have given up. Here is one last suggestion to try on your own. Completely remove the ashtray, then using a hair dryer warm up that shelf area you saw to make the plastic more pliable but not too hot. Now with the plastics warmed use the string method and use the radio tools to release the upper spring clips. You may even be able to pull the strings with one hand why pulling and wiggling the rear of the unit with your other hand.

Thanks for the suggestion but I think I’ll leave it... worried that the string might break my unit and this might damage the catches on the shelf holding the bottom of the unit. If my climate control had been broken I’d have considered it worth the gamble but not just for a cosmetic enhancement.
 
Just to add in, I have the ashe tray in my car below the climate control with the stereo above it. I removed the stereo and not the ashe tray. With a fairly large amount of force I got the climate control out. I too struggled with it but it was mostly force. I had my hand right in the back pulling it forward. Nothing broke.
 
Just to add in, I have the ashe tray in my car below the climate control with the stereo above it. I removed the stereo and not the ashe tray. With a fairly large amount of force I got the climate control out. I too struggled with it but it was mostly force. I had my hand right in the back pulling it forward. Nothing broke.

I’m sure it’s do-able but this and one or two other projects on the car are proving to me that I’ve got a fairly low ceiling for my car DIY ability, it wasn’t for nothing that my school reports gave me low grades and condescending “tries hard” comments for practical subjects!
 
I’m sure it’s do-able but this and one or two other projects on the car are proving to me that I’ve got a fairly low ceiling for my car DIY ability, it wasn’t for nothing that my school reports gave me low grades and condescending “tries hard” comments for practical subjects!
Don't put yourself down, everybody has to start somewhere and build up expertise over years and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools ....

If you are passing Oxford anytime call in and I could have a go but I am supposed to be isolating. I am old and weak but I do have tools, even two sledge hammers we can have one each!

Andy
 
I had the same concerns as you when replacing mine, but it actually popped out really easily. Once you get your fingers behind it, just push as hard as you can and it ‘should’ suddenly give in and release it’s grip, and you can then slide it out. Just be brave!
 
I had the same concerns as you when replacing mine, but it actually popped out really easily. Once you get your fingers behind it, just push as hard as you can and it ‘should’ suddenly give in and release it’s grip, and you can then slide it out. Just be brave!

I might be wrong, however I imagine not every unit/dash combo has exactly the same fit and some come out easier than others. I really tried!
 
Back
Top